# Interdisciplinary Training in the Chemical Senses

> **NIH NIH T32** · MONELL CHEMICAL SENSES CENTER · 2020 · $273,102

## Abstract

Project Abstract: The Monell Chemical Senses Center Institutional (T32) Postdoctoral Training Program
provides a unique opportunity for postdoctoral fellows to obtain training at the world’s foremost center for
research into the chemical senses—taste and smell. Twenty-three faculty members have diverse scientific and
international backgrounds and conduct collaborative, multidisciplinary research using specialized methods
derived from disciplines such as electrophysiology, molecular biology, genetics, analytical chemistry, and
psychophysics. Many applicants to the training program have little background in chemosensation but are
given the opportunity to apply skills learned elsewhere to chemical senses research. In addition to specialized
hands-on research training provided by faculty mentors, fellows attend instructional courses, workshops, and
journal clubs; they have opportunities for small-group review of data, one-on-one assistance with clear
scientific communication, and instruction on academic ethics tailored to their stage of professional
development. A three-person mentoring committee helps formulate an individual training plan for each fellow’s
unique career path and then tracks the fellow’s progress, helps set practical scientific goals, suggests skill
development opportunities (e.g., learning new statistical or wet-lab techniques), and provides written feedback
every six months. There is emphasis on learning the skills to prepare results for publication and to write
successful research grants. During the previous funding period, Monell’s T32 program supported nine
postdoctoral fellows; four are still in training, and five now have positions in academic institutions or elsewhere
in the biomedical research workforce. All the trainees have published papers in appropriate peer-reviewed
journals, attended national and/or international conferences, sought specialized training in courses and
workshops, and become familiar with new standards for the responsible conduct of research (including rigor
and reproducibility). Four trainees have won awards for excellence in research; others have won competitive
research grants, including three Individual Research Training Grants (F32s) and one similar governmental
award. The long-term goal of Monell’s Postdoctoral Training Program is to train independent scientists in taste
and smell biology, part of NIH’s mission to improve the nation’s health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9966940
- **Project number:** 5T32DC000014-40
- **Recipient organization:** MONELL CHEMICAL SENSES CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** PAMELA HELEN DALTON
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $273,102
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1979-07-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9966940

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9966940, Interdisciplinary Training in the Chemical Senses (5T32DC000014-40). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9966940. Licensed CC0.

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